TREKKING
The love of nature and the pursuit of the unknown have eternally drawn man to shed the comfort and security of this home to venture beyond the blue ranges on the horizon and to discover new valleys, forests, rivers and high, mountains. The quest of mountain lovers is for the freedom of the hills, to be at home in the high wilderness, with no barriers he cannot pass, no danger he cannot avoid with due caution and proper knowledge. This is the essence of enjoyment sought by the trekker and the climber.
Trekking is undoubtedly of value to physical fitness but its aim is not to produce athletes. It is an activity which should develop real love for the mountain regions and appreciation of their grandeur. Trekking leads to a closer interest in plants, trees, birds and animals, indeed in all form of nature study. It inculcates the virtue of sacrifice, the value of physical exertion, sometimes to the limit of endurance, and above all, the spirit of comradeship. A sense of adventure adds excitement towards the fulfillment of the goal.
Trekking is an art which any healthy and young minded person can learn at any age. But it is best to start early in life to get the most out of it. Trekking does not demand great strength or immense wealth but merely a desire and willingness to accept certain rough with the smooth. Once initiated into trekking, one soon learns that in order to enjoy one must minimize his wants on the trek. Yet there is no compromise with safety. Mere survival is not the freedom of the hills. There is no greater oppressor than wild nature in the raw.
A sound trekker is mindful of his own minimum needs. Trekking inculcates qualities of self-reliance, keeping fit and willingness to help. A trekker therefore, carries on his back-in miniature-his entire home, bed, kitchen and other needs on the trek. To achieve a sense of freedom the trekker must give up certain comforts and avoid burdening himself with the non-essentials. For, the trekker has no other power of locomotion but his own legs. He learns the camp craft to make himself comfortable outdoors.
Moreover, trekking is the symbol of friendship with not only with nature but with human beings, which are the beautiful creation of god almighty. We feel the tranquility and serenity of human soul and its existence in the body made up of the five elements of nature. We not only learn to look within by exploring the world around but also get familiar with the mighty powers of the all the elements – water, air, ether, soil, fire.
Nashik is the best destination for trekking and getting familiar with nature throughout the year. It is reach in flora and fauna, forts, peaks and mountains, etc. Being a spiritual abode of the incarnations of deities and realized saints the place has its elegance too. This issue is an attempt to provide the information about various trekking places in and around Nashik region. It is really an immense pleasure to share the experiences we all could collect while visiting these places. A number of attractions are found for all young and old around Nashik.
